Fury FC Add Size and Experience at Centre Back Position Signing Omar Jarun

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

OTTAWA, ON - Ottawa Fury FC today announced the club's first signing of 2014 with defender Omar Jarun joining the expansion North American Soccer League club. Jarun brings international experience to Fury FC boasting 13 caps for Palestine including four matches in their effort to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Jarun, a domestic signing, has agreed to a two-year contract pending international transfer.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Fury family and return to North America after recent stints in Belgium and Poland," said Jarun. "My family and I have been waiting for the right opportunity to return to Canada and the vision of both the coaching staff and the club along with the growth of the NASL makes this an ideal fit."

"I can promise the City of Ottawa that you are getting a hardworking and committed professional that will put the work in. I can't wait to get started and meet my teammates, the rest of the staff and of course the Fury FC supporters."

Jarun, 30, is a 6'5 central defender who spent last season with Belgian First Division club Charleroi after spending the previous three seasons in the Polish First Division with Arka Gdynia, Pogon Szczecin and Flota Swinoujscie. Before moving to Arka Gdynia, Jarun featured in the inaugural season of the NASL in 2011 as a member of FC Tampa Bay (now Tampa Bay Rowdies) playing in their opening 7 matches.

"Omar is a very experienced centre back and we needed a player like him to lead our back line," said Fury FC Head Coach Marc Dos Santos. "Omar won two USL Championships, one each with Atlanta and Vancouver, and has grown a lot playing in Europe. He will also bring valuable experience to our younger players."

Born in Kuwait City, Kuwait to Palestinian and American parents, Jarun first dressed for the Palestinian National Team in 2007 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Singapore. Raised in Peachtree City, Georgia, forty minutes south of Atlanta, Jarun developed with Atlanta's AFC Lightning before playing in the NCAA first at the University of Memphis before finishing his collegiate career at Dayton University. He was selected in the 2006 USL Draft by the Atlanta Silverbacks and spent two seasons with his hometown club, before moving to Canada to feature for the Vancouver Whitecaps where he played alongside Fury FC Assistant Coach Martin Nash.

Ottawa Fury FC open their inaugural season against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on April 12 before hosting Minnesota United FC in their home opener on April 19. Fury FC season tickets can be purchased in person at the Stadium Preview Centre (Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm) located at 2016 Ogilvie Road, Unit 3 or by calling 613.232.6767. Tickets to the Amway Canadian Championship preliminary knock-out round featuring Ottawa Fury FC and FC Edmonton are included in all Fury FC season ticket packages. Single Game tickets will go on-sale March 1.

On June 20, 2011 the North American Soccer League (NASL) announced that Ottawa, ON had been awarded an expansion franchise. The new team, owned by the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group (OSEG), will commence League play in the 2014 NASL season. On February 26, 2013 OSEG announced that Ottawa's NASL franchise would be named Ottawa Fury FC. For more information visit www.OttawaFuryFC.com. Follow Ottawa Fury FC on Twitter @OttawaFuryFC and Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/OttawaFuryFC

The North American Soccer League is a professional soccer league established in the United States and Canada. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Minnesota United FC, New York Cosmos, Ottawa Fury FC, San Antonio Scorpions FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Virginia Cavalry FC and clubs in Jacksonville and Oklahoma City will commence play in 2015. For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com. Follow the NASL on Twitter @NASLOfficial and Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.